Alexander Suvorov

27 quotes

"One cannot think that blind bravery gives victory over the enemy."

Alexander Suvorov

"The bullet is a fool, the bayonet is a fine chap."

Alexander Suvorov

"The bullet is a mad thing; only the bayonet knows what it is about."

Alexander Suvorov

"Train hard, fight easy."

Alexander Suvorov

"Win with ability, not with numbers."

Alexander Suvorov

"No battle can be won in the study, and theory without practice is dead."

Alexander Suvorov

"The three military arts. First - Apprehension, how to arrange things in camp, how to march, how to attack, pursue, and strike; for taking up position, final judgement of the enemy's strength, for estimating his intentions. Second - Quickness... This quickness doesn't weary the men. The enemy doesn't expect us, reckons us 100 versts away, and if a long way off to begin with - 200, 300 or more - suddenly we're on him, like snow on the head; his head spins. Attack with what comes up, with what God sends; the cavalry to begin, smash, strike, cut off, don't let slip, hurra! Brothers do miracles! Third - Attack. Leg supports leg. Arm strengthens arm; many men will die in the volley; the enemy has the same weapons, but he doesn't know the Russian bayonet. Extend the line - attack at once with cold steel; extend the line without stopping... the Cossacks to get through everywhere... In two lines is strength; in three, half as much again; the first breaks, the second drives into heaps, the third overthrows."

Alexander Suvorov

"It is very difficult to do one's duty. I was considered a barbarian because at the storming of the Praga 7,000 people were killed. Europe says that I am a monster. I myself have read this in the papers, but I would have liked to talk to people about this and ask them: is it not better to finish a war with the death of 7,000 people rather than to drag it on and kill 100,000."

Alexander Suvorov

"The officers know that I myself am not ashamed to work at this. ...Suvorov was Major, and Adjutant, and everything down to Corporal; I myself looked into everything and could teach everybody."

Alexander Suvorov

"To me death is better than the defensive."

Alexander Suvorov

"If we had not driven them into hell... hell would have swallowed us."

Alexander Suvorov

"Fight the enemy with the weapons he lacks."

Alexander Suvorov

"Drill your soldiers well, and give them a pattern yourself."

Alexander Suvorov

"Exercises cultivated self-reliance - the foundation of courage."

Alexander Suvorov

"A strong pursuit, give no time for the enemy to think, take advantage of victory, uproot him, cut off his escape route."

Alexander Suvorov

"Fire opens the gates of victory."

Alexander Suvorov

"The more comfort the less courage there is."

Alexander Suvorov

"Die for the Virgin, for your mother the Empress, for the royal family. The Church will pray to God for the dead. The survivor has honor and glory."

Alexander Suvorov

"When the enemy is driven back, we have failed, and when he is cut off, encircled and dispersed, we have succeeded."

Alexander Suvorov

"Accustom yourself to tireless activity..."

Alexander Suvorov

"One minute decides the outcome of a battle, one hour the success of a campaign, one day the fate of empires."

Alexander Suvorov

"Fortune seized at the right moment gives victory."

Alexander Suvorov

"As long as the enemy fights he must be beaten relentlessly, but a defeated enemy and especially the civilian population must be treated generously."

Alexander Suvorov

"To surprise the enemy is to defeat him."

Alexander Suvorov

"Judgment of eye, speed and attack are the basis of victory."

Alexander Suvorov